Latin America Regulatory Compliance Group

Type Approvals for Latin America and the Caribbean

LARCG COVERS VENEZUELA

LARCG COVERS LATAM

CONATEL Type Approval in Venezuela

CONATEL (Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones) is the telecommunications regulating agency in Venezuela. Products using radio frequency, cellular, or satellite technology require type approval and certification. The regulatory agency is responsible for verifying a device complies with applicable regulations in order to commercialize the products in Venezuela.

Venezuela does not require in-country product testing, local representation, or specific labeling.

LARCG can use existing international test reports and grants (FCC, CE, ANATEL)in order to obtain a Certificate of Conformity.Technical documents will be reviewed and validated during the certification process.

Venezuela has some frequency band restrictions depending on the type of equipment. LARCG will help determine if these restrictions apply to your equipment and seek exceptions where possible.

Products requiring CONATEL approval include:

Portable transceivers

Mobile phones

RF power amplifiers

Transceivers and transmitters

Equipment for data networks

Key CONATEL resolutions include:

Resolution 253, 2003: List of foreign entities or bodies recommended for the approval and certification of telecommunications equipment.

Venezuela Plug Types

Type A plugs, rated at 15 Amps, are used mainly in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America and Central America. This Class I, non-grounded, non-insulated plug operates on AC current and is known as NEMA 1-15. The plug has two 1.5 mm thick blades which measure 15.9 – 18.3 mm in length and are spaced 12.7 mm apart. The neutral blade is 7.9 mm wide, while the hot blade is 6.3 mm wide.

This plug almost always operates between 100 – 127 volts and is only compatible with socket type A.

Type B plugs, rated at 15 amps, are used mainly in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America and Central America. This class I grounded, non-insulated plug operates on AC current and is known as NEMA 5-15. The plug has two 1.5 mm thick blades which measure 15.9 – 18.3 mm in length, and are spaced 12.7 mm apart. It also features a 4.8 diameter round, or u-shaped earth pin measuring 3.2 mm which acts as a ground. This plug almost always operates between 100 – 127 volts and is compatible with type A and B sockets. Grounded type B outlets are still rather uncommon in some parts of Central and South America.

However, it is not uncommon for people to cut off the earth pin to achieve compatibility with two-pole non-grounded sockets.